Best Tips for International Shipping

Depending on what goods you intend on shipping, different countries may accept or reject certain imports. Individual countries will have their own set of regulations and they can be very particular so do make sure that you understand the standards for each country you want to ship to. Packaging is no exception - be compliant and check the standards for individual countries, such as ISPM 15, which has become increasingly widespread for the use of wooden packaging.

Expect additional duties and taxes when shipping goods abroad. Items are exposed to much more risk when in transit internationally, so insurance costs may also be higher. Be sure to work out an estimate for each country you are shipping to, by getting an average estimate of the total, or ‘landing cost’ of your goods, with import and delivery costs included.

It can be easy to miss a delivery date, however if your consignments get delayed whilst crossing borders, you’ll only be left with an unhappy customer less likely to return to you. Make sure to consistently stick with the delivery windows given to the recipient and get items packaged and shipped as soon as the order has been placed.

Leaving out the exact costs of delivery for international customers may mean that they will reject paying any extra customs costs at the door, and you’ll lose custom. It’s much better to be transparent with people and let them know that shipping will be more expensive, before they make the order. A top tip is to display all the costs of shipment for individual countries on your website, including insurance and any forms which need to be completed.

Make sure that any goods you ship internationally will arrive at their destination safely and unharmed. Opt for robust, secure and resilient packaging that’s fit for purpose. Some items will require more air-tight and moisture-resistant packaging, compliant with border regulations.

Nicklin is a leading provider of bespoke timber and corrugated transit packaging products and services. From custom pallets, cases, and crates, we aim to provide the most cost-effective and optimum packaging solution for your requirements. Chat to us about your packaging requirements for your international shipments and making your packaging compliant by calling us on (0) 121 359 8101 or visiting www.nicklin.com.

In many cases, it’s a more economic and environmental option to use returnable transit packaging as opposed to single trip packaging that must be thrown away after use. Returnable packaging is designed and built to be more robust – this reduces the risk of damage to products as they are transported and means that transit packaging costs per trip are reduced over the lifetime of the traffic.

For businesses throughout the world, sustainable packaging materials are increasingly important as they feel responsibility to support the sustainable management of forests. When finding a transit packaging supplier, it’s important to choose a company that use only wood from sustainable sources. Ask your supplier for ‘Chain of Custody’ certification that provides evidence of the forest that timber was sourced from.